The standoff between the Federation of Western India Cine Workers (FWICE) and the producers has been sorted out. The FWICE and the producers met on November 19 and signed an MOU that tackles the problems of the workers’ wages. The producers have also met with the broadcasters to inform them on the terms agreed at this meeting. At least for now, channels are deciding on a date when they would all begin fresh programming.

As per the MOU, the two parties have decided on the wages that the producers would pay to the various crafts that form a part of the FWICE. It also mentions that the MOU supersedes all previous MOUs in relation to the wages, workers’ contracts and working conditions.

In the second half of the day, the producers were engaged in another marathon meeting with the broadcasters to discuss the terms. It is also understood that the contracts of the producers with the broadcasters, too, may come under some scrutiny. However, when exchange4media spoke to a few broadcasters, they said that the talks between the broadcasters and the producers were still going on, hence they would not be able to comment anything on that.

The broadcasters are in the midst of deciding a date when all channels can begin airing fresh programming. This could be anywhere between November 24 and 26.